Racial Disparities in STEM employment

In 2011, 6 percent of STEM workers were black, even though blacks represented 11 percent of all workers. Representation for Latinos was worse – although they made up 15 percent of the total workforce in 2011, Latinos comprised just 7 percent of STEM workers.

According to the study, representation of blacks and Latinos in STEM jobs has improved since the 1970s, but has not kept pace with that of Asian workers. In 1970, each group represented approximately 2 percent of the STEM workforce. However, by 2011, 15 percent of STEM workers were Asian.

We at the AUMF believe that diversity drives innovation, and our mission is to increase the number of underrepresented minorities in STEM. Studies like this show that, while things have gotten better, there is still more work to be done.